Trip to Turkey - November 2021

Описание: As a belated 40th anniversary celebration we visited Turkey. Traveling internationally at any time is an adventure, but the complications of traveling during COVID-19 adds to the spice. You’ve got to be flexible and patient. Especially with the airlines. They have struggled during the pandemic and they find themselves short-staffed and over-tasked as we all start traveling again. We have taken a number of trips during the pandemic and we have had at least one flight canceled EVERY TIME. It has become part of our expectation. BTW, please be kind to the people at the airline help-desks. They didn’t cause the problems, and they are making superhuman efforts to solve them.

Turkey is a diverse country. It is majority Muslim and yet it has the second most Christian biblical sites after Israel. We saw ancient ruins, majestic mountains, beautiful beaches, marvelous mosques, and bustling bazaars. The food was delicious and settled well. There were remarkable experiences like underground cities, sunrise balloon launches, cave hotels, evening calls to prayer, and geothermal wonders. The people were a curious combination of opportunistic, and kind / helpful. The infrastructure (e.g. smooth beautiful freeways etc.) was exceptional.

I highly recommend a visit to Turkey. Don’t just stay in Istanbul either. Rent a car and explore. To me, the best was not the west (Europe) but the intriguing east (Asia). Check it out.